Southward from sunny Friday Harbor quickly led us to dense fog with visibility at maybe 100 yards (maybe) just before Cattle Pass. Armed with radar, the captain navigated us through the pass and over to Whale Rocks where we found seven large stellar sea lions and numerous harbor seals hauled out, warming up and napping. Even in fog, the air was warmer than the 50 degree waters around the San Juan Islands!
Battling our way through more fog, with other boats appearing and disappearing into the mists, we made our way along the west side of San Juan Island. Finally, we could make out just the top of the island. As we continued on, we searched the waters for signs of life. Suddenly, someone shouted, "There!" The boat slowed, we turned, we looked, we waited and then: ORCA! One dorsal and then two appeared. They were traveling north so we meandered along with them; they led us to more whales and less fog, perfect! We started seeing more and more; we were able to identify many from K-pod including K-27 "Deadhead" (referring more to a dangerous vertically-bobbing log than a music groupie) and her baby, K44 (yet to be named). Lots of whales in the common hunting formation of trios, pairs and loners.
The whales dropped us off at Mosquito Pass, at least that's where the end--the trailers--of the pod was. This allowed us to cut through between Henry Island and San Juan, pass Roche Harbor and ultimately circumnavigate San Juan Island (no more fog on this side!). Along the way, we stopped by O'Neal Island to see a bald eagle and its nest.
Serena, Naturalist
San Juan Safaris